Colton Cowboy Protector

by Beth Cornelison

  Her head was telling her to run. Far and fast. She didn’t need any part of another overbearing alpha male just months after freeing herself from Cliff. But her heart was telling her Jack Colton’s bark wasn’t a reflection of the soul inside. Laura had said Jack was a loving man, a softhearted father and a protective husband before things had gone south for them. Protective, Tracy could certainly believe, and she chose to believe that the rest lay beneath the hard surface she’d seen today.

  The lean and sexy surface. She fanned herself, despite having long ago cooled off in the frigid AC after their hike to the stable. The heat that swamped her now came from deep inside. A purely female reaction to shaggy dark brown hair, broad shoulders and green eyes that glittered with passion when their owner got riled.

  A rustling noise in the hallway to her right drew Tracy’s attention, and she craned her neck to see what had caused the disturbance. She saw nothing at first, but when a side table with a large vase moved, rocking the vessel of flowers, she caught a glimpse of the boy who was the spitting image of Jack. “Seth?”

  She stepped in that direction, sending the boy scurrying from his hiding place, jostling the side table again. The vase tipped forward, and Tracy rushed to catch it a split second before the crystal urn would have crashed to the floor. “Whoa! That was close.”

  She smiled at the boy as she righted the vase on the table. “I can’t imagine your grandma would be too happy if that broke.”

  He shook his head, wide-eyed. “I’d have got a whuppin’ for sure.”

  “Your father spanks you?” Tracy frowned, bothered by the notion.

  He shook his head again. “Not Daddy. But Pa Pa might’ve, since it’s Grandmother’s flower thing. Daddy says he used to get whuppin’s when he was bad.”

  She was relieved to hear Jack didn’t spank his son, but tucked away the notion that Big J Colton had used corporal punishment on his. Discipline was one thing, but being all too familiar with domestic violence, Tracy worried where Big J might have drawn the line when spanking his grandson.

  She made a mental note to investigate this further. If Seth was in any danger of harm, she’d do what it took to get him away from the Lucky C. For now she focused on the boy, her nephew, and gave him a friendly smile. “So you’re Seth, huh?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.” Scrunching his nose, he corrected, “I mean, yes, ma’am.”

  Tracy chuckled. “A polite young man. That’s nice.”

  “Daddy says ’specting elders is important.” Seth rubbed his hand on his nose.

  Tracy winced internally at being classified as an “elder.” With a wry half grin, she said, “Manners are a good habit. He’s right.”

  Seth narrowed a wary look on her. “Greta said you knew my mom. That you’re...my family?”

  Tracy caught her breath. Crouching to his level, she offered him another gentle smile. “You heard, huh?”

  His eyes got big. “I wasn’t spyin’! Honest! I just...well, I...”

  She dismissed his concern with a head shake. “It’s okay, hon. Yes, I knew your mom. She was my cousin. That makes you my cousin, too.”

  His dark eyebrows rose. “Really?”

  “I’m your cousin Tracy.” She held out a hand to him in greeting, but instead of a handshake, he slanted her a lopsided grin, stepped shyly closer and gave her a bear hug. Tracy’s heart somersaulted, then flooded with joy. She blinked back the sting of tears the boy’s warm greeting brought to her eyes, and embraced him back. His small body was slim but strong, and he smelled faintly of sweat and the last traces of a fresh soapy scent from his morning bath. Like his father, Seth wore his hair fairly shaggy, and it curled a bit from moisture at his neck.

  “Cousin Tracy?” Seth backed out of their hug and wrinkled his nose.

  Her chest filled to bursting as she heard him address her with the familial tag. “Yes, sweetie?”

  “Why was my daddy mad at you?”

  Her gut twisted. Just like that she was walking on eggshells, not wanting to cause problems, and handling delicate questions with the boy. “Well, I don’t know that he was so much mad as he was—”

  “Yep, he was,” Seth said, nodding in certainty. “That was his mad voice, and he was all stiff, with his hands tight like this.” He demonstrated the way Jack had fisted his hands. “And his face was bumping like it does when he’s mad.”

  She blinked. “Bumping?”

  He pointed to his temple. “Right here. When Daddy gets mad, his head goes bump bump bump.”

  She twisted her mouth as she deciphered the kid speak and decided Jack must have a blood vessel at his temple pulse point that throbbed when he was angry. “I see. Well...we had disagreed about something earlier, but it’s nothing you need to worry about. Okay?”

  Seth skewed his lips in thought, then lifted a lean shoulder. “Okay.”

  From the next room, Tracy her the clink of a utensil on glass and Big J’s booming voice calling for the attention of his guests.

  “Sounds like it’s time for Greta’s big announcement. Want to go with me to watch?” She offered her hand to Seth, and he took it with a nod.

  “It’s just about her and Mr. Mark gettin’ married. I already know that stuff, but I’ll take you in there.”

  “Why, thank y—” Before she could finish, he was towing her toward the living room entrance. She stumbled a step or two as she rose too quickly from her crouch. Seth moved with a hurried, boy-like trot that had her hustling to keep up. When they reached the amassed guests in the living room, he wove his way among them, dragging Tracy by the hand and causing her to jostle through the crowd as he led her to the front of the assembly gathered around Greta, Mark and the senior Coltons. Embarrassed to have been so boldly brought to the front, Tracy tried to sidle to the right, away from Abra and Big J’s line of sight, but Seth tugged her arm, drawing her back to the center.

  “Abra and I were thrilled to welcome our darling Greta to the family twenty-six years ago,” Big J said to the room, his glass raised.

  Tracy hunched her shoulders, trying to duck lower and make herself less obvious. Could she squat next to Seth? When she tried to stoop, she bumped the lady behind her, who scowled.

  “Sorry,” she whispered.

  “After having four rowdy boys, we treasured our first and only baby girl,” Big J continued, beaming at Greta.

  Tracy cast a glance around the circle of onlookers, hunting for Jack’s rugged face. Her attention snagged on the cowboy who’d parked her car when she arrived. He stood in a corner, his arms crossed over his chest, with a crooked grin on his face as he watched the proceedings. But his amused expression faltered at Big J’s last statement. He ducked his chin, casting his gaze to the ground. For just a moment his brow wrinkled, so quickly Tracy almost missed it. But she was sure she’d seen a look that could only be described as hurt or crestfallen flicker across the cowboy’s handsome face. A moment later he gave his head a small shake and returned his attention to Big J. Tracy couldn’t help but feel a tug of sympathy for the man, without even knowing who he was or what had upset him.

  “She’s our pride and joy, and we are pleased to announce...”

  Tracy’s attention left the boisterous glee of the Colton patriarch, sensing rather than seeing Jack’s hot stare from across the room. Her gaze darted to his, drawn like a magnet to his bright green eyes. A tingle like an electric shock skittered through her, speeding up her pulse. Her mouth dried, and she wished for one of the drinks the guests had hoisted in salute to the bride-and-groom-to-be. Not just because she stood out all the more for her lack of a glass for toasting, but because she could use something to wet her throat. Preferably something alcoholic, to help calm the flutter of nerves jangling in her core.

  She was so entranced by Jack’s level stare that when the crowd around her cheered and clapped, she gave a startled jolt. Pulling her hand free of Seth’s, she joined the applause. Her appearance at the party with the boy had no doubt added to Jack’s consternation. If making
peace with Jack in order to gain access to Seth was her goal, she wasn’t off to a good start. That needed to change. One way or another, she had to get past Jack’s defensiveness, break down his walls and prove to him he could trust her with his son.

  * * *

  As the party ended and the last guests and media crew were sent away with hospitable smiles, Greta found Tracy out by the pool. Tracy had been watching Seth goof around on the grassy lawn with the cowboy who’d been her parking valet.

  “Ready to go up and see your room?” Greta asked.

  “Sure. Thanks.” Tracy stood and smoothed the seat of her slacks, giving Seth and the handsome cowboy a last look. Remembering the expression of sharp disappointment that had crossed the man’s face at the engagement announcement, she aimed her thumb over her shoulder as she followed Greta inside. “Who is that roughhousing with Seth?”

  Greta glanced to the lawn. “Oh, that’s Daniel. Another uncle.”

  Tracy frowned. “I thought you only had four brothers.”

  “He’s a half brother.” She sighed and lowered her voice to a wry, conspiratorial whisper. “The product of an ‘indiscretion’ on my father’s part early in my parents’ marriage.” As she led Tracy through the living room Greta straightened an iron sculpture that had been knocked askew during the party. “When his mother died, Daniel came to live on the ranch.” She raised her eyebrows and angled her head. “Much to my mother’s chagrin. But my brothers and I count him as a full sibling and love having him here.” She sighed and shook her head. “Mother still won’t accept him, though.”

  “That explains the look, I guess,” Tracy muttered to herself.

  Greta’s clattering footsteps on the marble foyer slowed. “I’m sorry? What look?”

  Heat flushed Tracy’s cheeks. She didn’t need to be poking her nose in private family issues and stirring up problems while at the Lucky C. Her goal was to win favor and get to know her nephew, not be the conscience of the Colton clan.

  “Oh, nothing.” She forced a smile.

  But Greta stopped walking and faced her, arching a well-manicured eyebrow. “Fess up. What do you know?”

  Heaving a defeated sigh, Tracy wet her lips. “It’s just that...during your father’s speech...when he was announcing your engagement...”

  Her hostess’s forehead dented with apprehension. “Go on.”

  “Well...” Tracy shifted her weight from one foot to another, feeling like a grade school tattletale. “I saw a look cross his face when your father was talking about having four sons before you were born. Daniel looked...hurt.”

  Greta closed her eyes slowly and grimaced.

  “It was fleeting, and I could have imagined it, but...”

  “Big J did say four sons, didn’t he? I didn’t even catch it at the time, or I’d have said something.” Greta huffed in frustration. “No doubt he left Daniel out to appease Abra, but...poor Daniel. He denies to our faces that it still bothers him, but this kind of thing is bound to make him feel like an outsider. Damn it.” She grumbled the last under her breath as she resumed walking toward the wide stairs to the upper floors. “Thanks for telling me. I’ll apologize to Daniel later for—”

  “Oh, I...I can’t imagine he’d want his discomfiture pointed out. Or the fact that I noticed. I don’t want to be a source of trouble or strife in the family.”

  Greta flicked a dismissive hand. “I’ll leave your name out of it.”

  That was something, but Tracy thought about the icy look Jack had given her earlier at the announcement. “I have enough to deal with earning Jack’s trust. He really hated Laura a lot, didn’t he?”

  “Hated her? Heck, no. He loved her. More than he’ll ever admit to any of us. You know how men bury that kind of thing. I think what he puts out there as ill will toward Laura is the manifestation of his deep wounds. Her unhappiness at the ranch disappointed him. Her leaving him and their baby crushed him. Her distance and disinterest in their son after she left angered him. Laura hurt him on many levels, and he’s put up walls. But don’t be fooled. He never hated her. I think he wishes he could hate her. It’d make it easier to get over her abandonment.”

  “So his hostility toward me is—”

  “Fear, most likely.” Greta led her into a large, plushly appointed bedroom with a massive king-size sleigh bed, dark walnut furnishings and a recessed ceiling, framed with elegant crown molding.

  Tracy caught her breath, taking in the beautiful decor.

  “He’s fiercely protective of Seth,” Greta continued, apparently unaware of Tracy’s momentary rapture. “That boy is everything to him. The idea that you could want to take Seth or disillusion—”

  “But I don’t!” Tracy countered quickly, snapping from her dazed admiration of the guest room.

  Greta raised a hand. “I hear you. But Jack will be harder to convince.”

  Tracy’s shoulders slumped. “Any advice where to start?”

  Greta twisted her mouth in thought. “Action. You can talk until you are blue in the face and not convince him of anything. Jack is a doer. A man of action. If he sees you treating Seth with kindness and can witness evidence of your respect for his wishes regarding Seth, that will go further than any promises you make him. Laura made promises she didn’t keep. You’ll have to prove yourself to him before he’ll listen to anything you say.”

  Chapter 4

  That evening, Jack and Seth walked up to the main house to join Jack’s parents, sister, Ryan and Brett for a family dinner. When she’d called him about coming to dinner, Greta had informed him that Eric, a trauma surgeon in Tulsa, had planned to be there, but had been called to the hospital. Mark had returned to town on business, and Daniel had begged off, claiming he had other mysterious plans.

  Jack had had his fill of socializing for the day, even with his own family, and had been looking forward to a quiet evening with Seth. But his son had overheard the phone call and had bounced on his toes, begging to go. What could he say? Seth loved dinner at the main house, stuffing himself on the home-style foods Maria Sanchez, Abra and Big J’s cook, prepared, and teasing with his uncles and aunt. The family connections were good for Seth, and the balanced meal was a far cry from the Tater Tots and hot dogs Jack had planned to make.

  So here he was, heading back up to his parents’ house with his son chattering animatedly beside him about the snake he’d seen out in the pasture that afternoon.

  “Daniel said it wasn’t the bad kind.” Seth tugged the heavy back door open, his little-boy muscles straining. Jack no longer helped Seth with doors or his shoelaces or buckling his saddle straps—though he did double-check those before he let Seth ride. His boy was old enough to do things for himself and was determined to be self-sufficient. Jack encouraged him to learn ranch chores and be independent but caught himself wondering now and then where his baby boy had gone. Seth was growing up so fast.

  “Some snakes are good, ’cause they eat the mice that get in the barn,” he continued as they strolled through the mudroom and into the family room. “He says Sleekie can’t catch all the critters, so we need some snakes around.”

  “Snakes?” Abra said as they joined the family. Jack’s mother shuddered visibly and turned to speak to the woman next to her. “Vile creatures. Another reason I prefer to stay at the house and avoid the pens.”

  “I’m no fan of snakes myself,” the woman agreed affably.

  Jack recognized the voice and whipped his head toward the female guest. Tracy McCain. His gut rolled. He’d forgotten she was still here. Hadn’t considered that she’d be at the family dinner. He slanted an irritated glance at his sister, and Greta’s returned gaze was triumphant. “Jack, you remember Tracy, right?”

  He clenched his back teeth, tightening his jaw and shoving down the growl of frustration that rose in his throat. “Yeah. I remember her.” He cast a dark look at their guest that let her know exactly how he felt about her interloping.

  “Hi, Tracy!” Seth chirped, peeling away from his father’
s side and skipping over to greet Laura’s cousin.

  Laura’s cousin, therefore Seth’s cousin. Hadn’t Jack just thought that family connections were good for Seth? But Tracy’s presence filled him with a sense of foreboding and unease that burrowed deep into his bones. Something about her left him off balance, made his skin feel hot and prickly, as if he’d been out in the sun too long. And the way her pale blue eyes watched him with that fragile, wistful expression fired unwelcome feelings of protectiveness in him. Protectiveness and—he gritted his teeth harder—lust. Yes, damn it. The woman’s ethereal beauty and delicate femininity drew him in and riled his libido like crazy, a complication he didn’t need if he was going to protect his son from her hidden agenda.

  He’d opened his mouth to call Seth back to his side when his son opened his arms and fell against Tracy to give her a hug.

  “Hi, sweetie,” she answered with a warm smile as she returned the embrace. “Good to see you again.”

  Jack’s heartbeat stumbled at Seth’s trusting and loving gesture. Not for the first time, Jack wondered what his son was missing, not having a mother in his life. Abra loved her grandson, but had never been the warm, fuzzy type, even with her own children. Greta spoiled Seth when she was around, but she was such a tomboy, Jack didn’t count her as a mother figure.

  Seth, ever the gregarious soul, beamed up at Tracy and asked, “Do you want to see my pony after supper? His name is Pooh Bear, and he’s all mine!”

  “Pooh Bear? What a wonderful name. It reminds me of the Winnie the Pooh I had when I was little.”

  Seth brightened. “Me, too! That’s why I named him Pooh!”

  “Well, what do you know?” Tracy flashed a grin and combed her fingers through Seth’s wild mane of hair. Seth leaned contentedly into the caress, and Jack could almost imagine him purring like a kitten.

  His son always got his hair cut when Jack did, but in recent weeks, Jack had been too busy with the herd and calving to bother with a haircut. He dragged a hand through his own shaggy mop and tried not to imagine how it would feel to have Tracy’s fingers tangling in his hair or stroking his skin. But his scalp tingled, anyway, with ghost sensations.